There
was a time when you needed a connection to the Bacardi family to sample
their rum of this caliber. And even when they made it available to the
general public, you still had to go to their distillery in Puerto Rico
to buy any. But in the last two years the company has made Bacardi
Reserva Limitada available within the United States, albeit in a
very—hence the name—limited quantity.

If
you get the chance to try it, do it. The extra-aged rum, originally
produced as a personal blend for the Bacardi family, is an exceptional
dram—complex and chomping at the bit to be enjoyed with a cigar.

The
Founder’s Blend was originally produced by the current Maestro de Ron
(master of rum) Luis Planas to honor Facundo Bacardi Masso, who started
Bacardi in 1862. In 2003, the blend of rums aged in lightly charred
American white oak barrels was first released to celebrate the
inauguration of the Bacardi Visitors Centre at the Bacardi distillery in
Catano, Puerto Rico, which was the only location at which it was
available. In 2010 the company decided to share with the rest of us, but
in very limited numbers (1,000 six-bottle cases).

Now,
the precious liquid that comes in cork-sealed numbered bottles has
become more widely available, although the bottles are no longer
hand-numbered and the oldest age rum in the bottle has been shortened
from 16 years to 12. Not to worry, the experience remains a
rollercoaster of sweet sensations.

While
it is something of a splurge in the rum world at $119 (compare to the
excellent Bacardi at about $25), if you’re a real rum hound, you’re in
for a treat.

NOSE:
A complex aroma that first shows cinnamon, then turns sultry with heady
honey, vanilla, caramel and a slight clove note. The finale is redolent
of Armagnac.

PALATE:
All kinds of sweetness rush out to meet the tip of the tongue: honey,
molasses, maple syrup and cane sugar. As it spreads out over the palate
it dries slightly, revealing a panorama of caramel, vanilla, cashews,
toast and saffron. A complex mouthful that is nevertheless ardently
sweet.

FINISH:
All the flavors of the palate linger on in the finish and become
somehow richer until at the very end Christmas spices arrive for a slow
dance with the roof of the mouth.

CIGAR PAIRING: La Flor Dominicana Oro No. 6 ($12.50, not yet rated)

A
rich woody cigar, with some charcoal and hints of meat and eucalyptus,
it benefits from the pairing. As the cedar flavor accentuates, the wood
becomes richer and the flavor of dried nuts appears. The rum also
benefits as the cigar draws out tannins making the rich quaff even more
complex.

Starts
out as a tangy smoke and warms to with coffee-bean character, cardamom
and black cherry. The Reserva Limitada draws out rich wood and nuts from
the cigar, as well as giving it a savory quality and smoothing its
edges. The cigar returns the favor by giving the sugary rum a kick that
results in a spicy pop.

Jack, I tried the reserva about two years ago. It's quite good. Not my favorite, but certainly worth exploring with a great cigar. I still think the Bacardi 8 is a very good premium rum to pair with just about any cigar. AB